Nutritional Genetics
Lead Research Organisation:
MRC Unit, The Gambia
Abstract
Health outcomes in poor populations where infection and malnutrition still intersect, are influenced by a network of interacting genetic and environmental causal factors. Our Nutritional Genetics theme, linking in with the other research themes, employs genetic and epigenetic tools at a genome-wide scale to explore critical pathways that underpin or modulate nutritionally-mediated health and disease outcomes.
We seek to understand the answers to the following questions: Does our genetic profile determine growth trajectories of children going up under a double burden of malnutrition and infectious diseases? Does maternal nutrition during early pregnancy mediate changes in gene regulation in their offspring? Does variation in genes regulating iron metabolism affect the response to infectious pathogens and/or susceptibility to anemia?
We seek to understand the answers to the following questions: Does our genetic profile determine growth trajectories of children going up under a double burden of malnutrition and infectious diseases? Does maternal nutrition during early pregnancy mediate changes in gene regulation in their offspring? Does variation in genes regulating iron metabolism affect the response to infectious pathogens and/or susceptibility to anemia?
Technical Summary
Nutritional genetics covers research on the role of genetic variation on dietary responses as well as evolutionary aspects of nutritional regulation of gene expression. We employ genetic and epigenetic tools to explore critical pathways that underpin or modulate nutritionally-mediated health and disease outcomes. The key driver of the Nutritional Genetics theme within the ING is the need to provide mechanistic insights into the underlying processes.
The Keneba Biobank, a repository of biological samples involving the whole of the rural population of West Kiang (N~12000), presents a resource and major platform for our genetic research. Due to its tight integration across the other ING areas of research, Nutritional Genetics is a cross-cutting theme; we concentrate on the following two sub-themes:
1) Genetics and epigenetics of growth and development.
Over several decades our group has collected DNA, birth size and child growth records on individuals living in rural Gambia. This is being used to understand which genes affect growth trajectories employing multi-generational, cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs in combination with high-throughput genome-wide association study (GWAS) and ExomeSNPChip genotyping arrays.
Our epigenetics studies test the hypothesis that differences in maternal nutritional status during the periconceptional period influences the establishment of epigenetic signatures in the next generation. Our results on pre-natal supplementation and seasonal differences in dietary intakes demonstrate that maternal nutritional status during early pregnancy causes persistent and systemic DNA methylation changes in their offspring postnatally.
2) Genetics of nutrition-mediated infection.
Our past and ongoing research demonstrated that viral, bacterial and host genetic factors modulate iron homeostasis and hence the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. Our future work focuses on seeking to identify genetic variants that affect phenotype variations of iron absorption and metabolism in Gambians. Risk alleles associated with iron deficiency and anemia will be ascertained in a first stage and in a second stage their potential functional effects on phenotypic outcomes including infection will be evaluated.
The Keneba Biobank, a repository of biological samples involving the whole of the rural population of West Kiang (N~12000), presents a resource and major platform for our genetic research. Due to its tight integration across the other ING areas of research, Nutritional Genetics is a cross-cutting theme; we concentrate on the following two sub-themes:
1) Genetics and epigenetics of growth and development.
Over several decades our group has collected DNA, birth size and child growth records on individuals living in rural Gambia. This is being used to understand which genes affect growth trajectories employing multi-generational, cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs in combination with high-throughput genome-wide association study (GWAS) and ExomeSNPChip genotyping arrays.
Our epigenetics studies test the hypothesis that differences in maternal nutritional status during the periconceptional period influences the establishment of epigenetic signatures in the next generation. Our results on pre-natal supplementation and seasonal differences in dietary intakes demonstrate that maternal nutritional status during early pregnancy causes persistent and systemic DNA methylation changes in their offspring postnatally.
2) Genetics of nutrition-mediated infection.
Our past and ongoing research demonstrated that viral, bacterial and host genetic factors modulate iron homeostasis and hence the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. Our future work focuses on seeking to identify genetic variants that affect phenotype variations of iron absorption and metabolism in Gambians. Risk alleles associated with iron deficiency and anemia will be ascertained in a first stage and in a second stage their potential functional effects on phenotypic outcomes including infection will be evaluated.
Organisations
- MRC Unit, The Gambia, Gambia (Lead Research Organisation)
- Early Growth Genetics Consortium (EGG) (Collaboration)
- University of Oxford, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- University College London, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- San Pietro Hospital (Collaboration)
- H3Africa (Collaboration)
- London Sch of Hygiene and Trop Medicine, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Queen's University of Belfast, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Government of The Gambia (Collaboration)
- University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Medical Research Council (Collaboration)
- University of Exeter, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- University of Leeds, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Queen Mary, University of London, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Collaboration)
- University of Colorado Boulder (Collaboration)
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (Collaboration)
- University of British Columbia, Canada (Collaboration)
- Baylor College of Medicine, United States (Collaboration)
- Charité - University of Medicine Berlin (Collaboration)
- University of The Gambia (Collaboration)
- University of Virginia, United States (Collaboration)
- Vanderbilt University, United States (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Andrew Prentice (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Rickard IJ
(2012)
Twinning propensity and offspring in utero growth covary in rural African women.
in Biology letters
Makani J
(2011)
Genetics of fetal hemoglobin in Tanzanian and British patients with sickle cell anemia.
in Blood
Atkinson SH
(2008)
Tumor necrosis factor SNP haplotypes are associated with iron deficiency anemia in West African children.
in Blood
Hennig BJ
(2009)
FTO gene variation and measures of body mass in an African population.
in BMC medical genetics
Braithwaite VS
(2015)
Vitamin D binding protein genotype is associated with plasma 25OHD concentration in West African children.
in Bone
Braithwaite V
(2013)
Novel SLC34A3 mutation causing hereditary hypophosphataemic rickets with hypercalciuria in a Gambian family.
in Bone
Cox SE
(2014)
Haptoglobin, alpha-thalassaemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase polymorphisms and risk of abnormal transcranial Doppler among patients with sickle cell anaemia in Tanzania.
in British journal of haematology
Cox SE
(2011)
Global arginine bioavailability in Tanzanian sickle cell anaemia patients at steady-state: a nested case control study of deaths versus survivors.
in British journal of haematology
Kühnen P
(2016)
Interindividual Variation in DNA Methylation at a Putative POMC Metastable Epiallele Is Associated with Obesity.
in Cell metabolism
| Description | BMGF Discovery Expert Group |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in advisory committee |
| Impact | As a member of the BMGF Discovery Expert Group I influence policy regarding global health research policies. |
| Description | Chairman - Strategic Advisory Board American Society of Nutrition |
| Geographic Reach | North America |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a advisory committee |
| Impact | Planning the ASN's future for Vision 2028 |
| Description | INSPIRE |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in advisory committee |
| Description | Iron and Malaria Research Review |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in advisory committee |
| Description | NIH/NICHD/Gates Technical Working Group |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guidance committee |
| Description | Wellcome Trust ERG 6 |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in advisory committee |
| Impact | Deliberates on research funding with direct health outputs |
| Description | 5 Gates Grand Challenges Explorations |
| Amount | $100,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 01/2012 |
| End | 01/2013 |
| Description | Newton Fund MRC Joint Research Programme: Women's and Children's Health |
| Amount | £928,853 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2015 |
| End | 06/2018 |
| Description | Unsolicited aproach |
| Amount | $350,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 06/2015 |
| End | 06/2017 |
| Title | Banked DNA |
| Description | DNA and phenotype data from multiple cohorts in Gambia and Zanzibar. |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2008 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Basis of collaborations and publications |
| Title | ENID Platform |
| Description | The Early Nutrition and Immune Development Study recruits pregnant women throughout West Kiang. |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2009 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | THis platform is highly productive in terms of 'add-on' studies. |
| Title | Keneba Biobank |
| Description | We are collecting DNA and biological samples from 12,000+ individuals in the West Kiang region of Gambia and banking these as the basis of numerous of our research projects |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2011 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The materials have already contributed to many research studies and are currently proving to be a very positive influence on drawing new collaborations and research funds to our group. |
| Title | West Kiang DSS |
| Description | Demographic Surveilance System for West Kiang Region |
| Type Of Material | Biological samples |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Forms the platform for all studies we conduct and creates novel research findings through secondary analyses. |
| Title | Submission of epigenomic data to public databases |
| Description | We upload all our epigenetic analyses to public databases |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Not yet known |
| Description | Aflatoxin studies |
| Organisation | International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provision of study site and samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | IARC - epigenetic analysis UoL/QUB - aflatoxin analyses |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Aflatoxin studies |
| Organisation | Queen's University Belfast |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of study site and samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | IARC - epigenetic analysis UoL/QUB - aflatoxin analyses |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Aflatoxin studies |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of study site and samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | IARC - epigenetic analysis UoL/QUB - aflatoxin analyses |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | African Partnership for Chronic Disease / H3Africa |
| Organisation | H3Africa |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Participation in Research partnership to assess the burden and aetiology of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a focus on genetic epidemiology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Coordination of research projects across multiple sites, provision of a platform for interventional research in NCDs, ensureing that African populations benefit from the ongoing advances in genomics. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | African Partnership for Chronic Disease / H3Africa |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Department of Public Health and Primary Care |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Participation in Research partnership to assess the burden and aetiology of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a focus on genetic epidemiology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Coordination of research projects across multiple sites, provision of a platform for interventional research in NCDs, ensureing that African populations benefit from the ongoing advances in genomics. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | African Partnership for Chronic Disease / H3Africa |
| Organisation | University of the Gambia |
| Country | Gambia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Participation in Research partnership to assess the burden and aetiology of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a focus on genetic epidemiology |
| Collaborator Contribution | Coordination of research projects across multiple sites, provision of a platform for interventional research in NCDs, ensureing that African populations benefit from the ongoing advances in genomics. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Choline and brain function |
| Organisation | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Piloting of EEG methods for assessing brain function for ultimate implementation in choline supplement trial. DNA samples for assessment of variation in one-carbon genes in Gambians. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise and equipment. Genotyping of Gambian DNA samples. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Epigenetic studies |
| Organisation | Baylor College of Medicine |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | These partners contribute to a research network at which we are at the centre. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UBC- biomarker analyses BCM - epiallele analyses UNC - food analyses UoC - epigenome profiling IARC - epigenome profiling UoL+QUoB - aflatoxin analysis |
| Impact | Publications and new knowledge. 21203497 22124338 22307237 22267336 23576045 |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Epigenetic studies |
| Organisation | International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | These partners contribute to a research network at which we are at the centre. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UBC- biomarker analyses BCM - epiallele analyses UNC - food analyses UoC - epigenome profiling IARC - epigenome profiling UoL+QUoB - aflatoxin analysis |
| Impact | Publications and new knowledge. 21203497 22124338 22307237 22267336 23576045 |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Epigenetic studies |
| Organisation | Queen's University Belfast |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | These partners contribute to a research network at which we are at the centre. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UBC- biomarker analyses BCM - epiallele analyses UNC - food analyses UoC - epigenome profiling IARC - epigenome profiling UoL+QUoB - aflatoxin analysis |
| Impact | Publications and new knowledge. 21203497 22124338 22307237 22267336 23576045 |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Epigenetic studies |
| Organisation | University of British Columbia |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | These partners contribute to a research network at which we are at the centre. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UBC- biomarker analyses BCM - epiallele analyses UNC - food analyses UoC - epigenome profiling IARC - epigenome profiling UoL+QUoB - aflatoxin analysis |
| Impact | Publications and new knowledge. 21203497 22124338 22307237 22267336 23576045 |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Epigenetic studies |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | These partners contribute to a research network at which we are at the centre. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UBC- biomarker analyses BCM - epiallele analyses UNC - food analyses UoC - epigenome profiling IARC - epigenome profiling UoL+QUoB - aflatoxin analysis |
| Impact | Publications and new knowledge. 21203497 22124338 22307237 22267336 23576045 |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Epigenetic studies |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | These partners contribute to a research network at which we are at the centre. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UBC- biomarker analyses BCM - epiallele analyses UNC - food analyses UoC - epigenome profiling IARC - epigenome profiling UoL+QUoB - aflatoxin analysis |
| Impact | Publications and new knowledge. 21203497 22124338 22307237 22267336 23576045 |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Epigenetic studies |
| Organisation | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | These partners contribute to a research network at which we are at the centre. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UBC- biomarker analyses BCM - epiallele analyses UNC - food analyses UoC - epigenome profiling IARC - epigenome profiling UoL+QUoB - aflatoxin analysis |
| Impact | Publications and new knowledge. 21203497 22124338 22307237 22267336 23576045 |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Epigenetics and telomere length |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Institute of Child Health |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provide the research setting and samples and hypotheses. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Jess Buxton brings expertise and methods training. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Gambian National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) |
| Organisation | Government of The Gambia |
| Department | National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) Gambia |
| Country | Gambia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We support NaNA in numerous ways, mostly related to staff training. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Through quarterly meetings NaNA assist us with advice about Gambian Government priorities in nutrition. They also help facilitate short-term deviations from standard government policy necessary fro certain trials. |
| Impact | The positive and cordial relationships between MRC and NaNA over many years represent a notable output. |
| Description | Genes-in-action iron |
| Organisation | London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) |
| Department | Health Services Research and Policy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of field samples and opportunities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Co-supervsion of PhD student |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Genetics of growth |
| Organisation | Early Growth Genetics Consortium (EGG) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Provision of DNA and anthropometric data for up to 3500 individuals. Joint analysis of results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of gene variation in genes involved in growth and development, including bone health |
| Impact | 19434426 19265514 18852700 21831878 22896641 23202124 23246670 |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Genetics of growth |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Department | MRC Human Nutrition Research Unit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provision of DNA and anthropometric data for up to 3500 individuals. Joint analysis of results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of gene variation in genes involved in growth and development, including bone health |
| Impact | 19434426 19265514 18852700 21831878 22896641 23202124 23246670 |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Genetics of growth |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Department of Paediatrics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of DNA and anthropometric data for up to 3500 individuals. Joint analysis of results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of gene variation in genes involved in growth and development, including bone health |
| Impact | 19434426 19265514 18852700 21831878 22896641 23202124 23246670 |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Genetics of growth |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of DNA and anthropometric data for up to 3500 individuals. Joint analysis of results. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of gene variation in genes involved in growth and development, including bone health |
| Impact | 19434426 19265514 18852700 21831878 22896641 23202124 23246670 |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Genetics of infection and immunity |
| Organisation | London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | DNA sample and data provision in relation to HIV, TB, malaria, SCD, HBV and MenC studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Genotyping and joint analyses |
| Impact | Formation of HIGH consortium; 19474129 18716131 18291005 20552021 20970823 20806065 19793845 20924289 21595648 21459787 21939508 21068433 22205660 23691341 23753024 21993677 |
| Description | Genetics of infection and immunity |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Department | MRC Unit, The Gambia |
| Country | Gambia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | DNA sample and data provision in relation to HIV, TB, malaria, SCD, HBV and MenC studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Genotyping and joint analyses |
| Impact | Formation of HIGH consortium; 19474129 18716131 18291005 20552021 20970823 20806065 19793845 20924289 21595648 21459787 21939508 21068433 22205660 23691341 23753024 21993677 |
| Description | Genetics of infection and immunity |
| Organisation | San Pietro Hospital |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | DNA sample and data provision in relation to HIV, TB, malaria, SCD, HBV and MenC studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Genotyping and joint analyses |
| Impact | Formation of HIGH consortium; 19474129 18716131 18291005 20552021 20970823 20806065 19793845 20924289 21595648 21459787 21939508 21068433 22205660 23691341 23753024 21993677 |
| Description | Genetics of infection and immunity |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | DNA sample and data provision in relation to HIV, TB, malaria, SCD, HBV and MenC studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Genotyping and joint analyses |
| Impact | Formation of HIGH consortium; 19474129 18716131 18291005 20552021 20970823 20806065 19793845 20924289 21595648 21459787 21939508 21068433 22205660 23691341 23753024 21993677 |
| Description | Genetics of infection and immunity |
| Organisation | Vanderbilt University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | DNA sample and data provision in relation to HIV, TB, malaria, SCD, HBV and MenC studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Genotyping and joint analyses |
| Impact | Formation of HIGH consortium; 19474129 18716131 18291005 20552021 20970823 20806065 19793845 20924289 21595648 21459787 21939508 21068433 22205660 23691341 23753024 21993677 |
| Description | Genetics of malnutrition |
| Organisation | University of Virginia (UVa) |
| Department | Department of Pediatrics |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Provision of DNA and anthropometric data on 1500 Gambians |
| Collaborator Contribution | GWAS and ExomeChip genotyping |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Hormonal control of growth |
| Organisation | University of Colorado Boulder |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Detailed studies of hormonal regulation of growth will be performed at MRC Keneba |
| Collaborator Contribution | Robin Bernstein at UC is the PI on the grant funding this research project. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Maternal nutrition and offspring miRNAs |
| Organisation | Queen Mary University of London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We provide the research setting, samples and manpower. We sought and successfully achieved additional funds from the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation to support this work. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dr Sarah Finer at QMUL brings expertise in miRNA programming an training in lab methods. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | POMC collaboration |
| Organisation | Charité - University of Medicine Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of SoC data to add to analysis and publications |
| Collaborator Contribution | Comparative data and analysis on POMC methylation and obesity |
| Impact | Publications have been listed |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Title | KEMRes |
| Description | Keneba Electronic Medical Registration System |
| Type | Support Tool - For Medical Intervention |
| Current Stage Of Development | Late clinical evaluation |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2011 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | KEMReS forms a vital part of our research patient selection as well as providing improved care fro our patient population. |
| Description | BBC documentary |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | We featured prominently in the BBC 2 documentary: 'Countdown to Life: The Extraordinary Making of You' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06crff1 |
| Description | ING website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | ING now has it's own website, where key news items are posted regularly. The website is a vital point of information to ING's research activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | International press coverage |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Following a press release we achieved worldwide media coverage for our latest epigenetic studies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://ing.mrc.ac.uk/home/news/ |
| Description | MRC Centenary Events @ UCL |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 500 attendees across a wide range of the public plus other academics Wider interest and knowledge of MRC activities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | MRC Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | MRC Festival is an Annual Showcase of MRC Unit The Gambia's activities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | MRC UCL Open Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | ING participated in the UCL Centenary event, targeted at the general public but also including scientists from other MRC Units and groups in London. ING contribution included a formal lecture by Prof Prentice plus stands and exhibitions highlighting our work in Keneba. Publicity in local London area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Open Day (Gambia) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Open Day in Keneba |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Open days |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Open day Continued good relations with surrounding villagers who participate in our research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008,2013,2014 |
| Description | Podcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Contribution to podcast Multiple |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2014 |
| Description | Public lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Open Lecture to general audience including politicians Improved profile |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2013 |
| Description | Radio interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC World Service interview None. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2014 |
| Description | Tama - article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Health professionals |
| Results and Impact | Article None known |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2014 |